Ball-bearing caster.



j. L, CHESNUTT.

, BALL BEARNG (EASTER.

APPLlCATmN min MAY 14, 1911.

1,232,655. Emma July 10, 19m,

Il 2322 2l' /41- l? m 202,' 23

iIII

:w L l l? /A/ vE/v 70H n JL- 'fffsJn/TT :si J A. @ff u C) am H 32 L "w L duce binding friction during passage overA Aan obstruction. The. for connecting the wheel-carrying mexjnber V19 to the top plate 10, after the insertion of the balls 21, by the alfixing of the rivet 17 downwardly in front when the wheelA passes over an obstruction, and prevent and reand wear on the parts balls 23 receive downward because ofthe plane track 15 receive pressure of the top plate, and serve to bear the load without lateral pressure, thereby permitting them -to turn with less resistance and causing the caster to swivel easily and quickly. v

The wheel-carrying member 19 is formed with spaced, downwardly projecting flanges or wings 24, 25, between which the wheel 26 is mounted. I have here shown the wheel 26 formed with an integral hub'surrounding and spacedfrom an axle 27 carried b the wings 24, 25, and roller bearings 28 interposed between said hub and axle. The aXle 27 has its ends projecting through the wings 24, 25 and upset or riveted to hold it in place.

The major portions are rearwardly of the pressure only, on whichA they ofthe wings 24, 25 vertical axis of the cylindrical wheel-carryingmember 19 and,

of the retaining m'ember 16, and the axle 27 also is rearwardly of such axis, so that the wheel 26 trails relative to the axis of 1 the caster.

The forward margins of the wings 24, 25 areconnected by a downwardly project ing arcuate flange 29 which forms a continuation of the forward portion of the main part of the cylindrical wheel-carrying member 19. The upper parts of the projecting rear portions ofthe wings 24, 25 are also connected by a web or plate 30 which projects rearwardly from the rear lower part of the cylindrical wheel-carrying member. The portions 29, 30 are provided to add strengthy to the wheel-carrying member in points receiving severe strain under a load, to prevent cracking or breaking of the casting. The wings 24, 25 are also formed with vertical strengthening ribs 31, 32 on their outer faces in front of the position of the axley 27.

The provision of the groove 14 in the bottom of the top plate 10 permits the central flanged portion of the wheel-carrying member 19 to project upwardly above the plane of the track 15, as shown in Fig. 1, thereby diminishing the distance between the upper surface of the 'top plate' and the topof the wheel 26. In other words, it assists in procuring a maximum diameter for the Wheel, an end which is desirable as the larger the wheel the'more easily it rolls, particularly over rough or uneven surfaces, and the greater the diameter of the wheel in proportion to the totalheight'of the device, the less vtendency there will be for the wheelcarrying member to bind on the top plate or retainingr member, as when the wheel is passing over obstructions.

taining member 16. This member, separately formed and providing a convenient cans or memberv equivalent thereto, is of relatively large diameter and is rigidly secured to and against rotary mbvement independently of said plate. The large diameter of y the member 16, which thus forms the aXis for rotation of thewheel and the member 19 relativeto the load, acts to prevent binding and makes forlsmooth and easy action of the parts, and in this, respect my construction presents a decided advantage over the common types of devices of lthis character. The easy and quick turning of the wheel-member relative to the load-membdr also acts to reduce and tends to prevent Wearing `of the supporting surface by the wheel, a fault which is found in many caeters now in use.

l It should also be noted that my construction presents an imperforate top plate,when assembled and in use, thus preventing the deposit ofdirt and foreign substances in the ball races, which are further protected by the depending flange l2. The hole of the top plate is relatively small and 1s v entirely closed by thc rivet '17, so that the -flange of the top plate and formed with an annular ball race in its top, bearing balls carried by said race and adapted to contact with the under surface of said top plate, Said Wheel-carrying member being formed with a central circular opening and with a horizontal inwardly projecting flange at the margin of said opening, a retaining member of cylindrical form closed at its top except for an axial hole by which it is adapted to be riveted to said top plate, said retaining member being formed at its bottom with a horizontal, outwardly projecting flange beneath the flange of said wheel carrying member, bearingl balls mountedbetwcen said flanges, and'av4 wheel carried by said wheel-carrying member.

2. A swivel caster, comprising a top plate provided with means for attaching to a load, said top plate beingl formed with a downwardly projecting annular flange, a wheel-carrying member adapted tov be mounted within the flange of the top plate and formed with an annular ball race in its top, bearing balls in said race adapted to Contact with the under surface of said tori plate, said top plate also being formed with an annular groove into which a portion of said Wheel-carrying member may project, said Wheel-carrying member being formed with a central circular opening and a horilzontal flange inwardly projecting at tbe topthereof., a retaining member of cylindrical form and closed at its top and rigidly secured to tbe top plate, said retaining member beingfogned" igitli an outwardly projecting flange below tbe liange of the Wheel carrying member, bearing balle amounted between said flanges, and a wheel rotatably mounted in said wheel-carrying member, Y

3. In a swivel caster, a. top plate formed with an axial opening, a Wheel-carrying member of cylindrical form formed with a ball race in its top, said Wlieebearrying member being formed with :in inwardly projecting horizontal flange at its top, beernig balls in said ball 'race and adapted to Contact with the under surface of Said top plate, a retaining member open atjite bottom and closed at its top except for a hole, a ri vet passing through and rigidly connecting tlieltop of Said retaining member to Said top plate, said retaining member being formed with an outwardly inojeoting liorizontal flange below the flange of tbe Wheelcarrying member, bearing balls mounted between said flanges, and a Wheel rotatably earried by said Wheel-carrying member, Said retaining member and the last mention bearing balle providing the only means for transmitting propelling force from the top -plate to the ii'lieel-carrying member.

4. ln a swiifel easter, a top plato, cylindrical wlieel-carrying member, a retaining member 0l' cylindrical form adapted to be riveted to said top plate, said WbeelaoarryL ing member and retaining member being formed with oppositely projecting, Verti cally spaced horizontal flanges, bearing balls interposed between said flanges, said Wheelearrying member being formed with spaced, downwardly projecting Wings, a Wheel rotatably mounted between said Wings, the or Said wheel being rearwardly of the axis between Said top plate and Wheel-oarrying member, said Wheel-carrying member being formed with a downwardly projecty ing flange in front of and connecting said`- AWinge and also formed with a rearwardly projecting flange at its rear side connecting said Wings.

5. A swivel easter, comprising a top plate formed with an annular, downwardly projecting flange, a Wheel-carrying member (,:ylindrical in its upperv portion rotatablyy mounted within the ange of said top plate, said top vplate being formed With ans annular groove in its central portion into which` ing formed with if'ertieally spaced, opp* sitely extending horizontal anges', bearing balle interposed between said lianges, and a .nippel-ting wheel rotatably carried by and projecting belov4 said Wheel-carrying member, the laet mentioned bearing ballsl receive ing :rl el* the lateral strain between the and its load,

Signed by me at Kansas 4City,lvliesourn tine l2 dey of April, 1917.

,roi-in none-inn eimenofrr.

v.arrying member and the top plate 

